Whelahan sets the record straight as Offaly banish relegation threat

Offaly 5-17 Antrim 0-18

He played a leading role in the team's relegation victory in the Guinness hurling qualifier competition in a game in which the midlanders were always comfortably in control.

When they led by a 10-point margin at half-time and were unyielding in defence, Offaly were assured of their place in the McCarthy Cup next season. After that it was a relatively simple matter of gaining the necessary scores to combat a brave effort by Antrim to get back into contention.

But it was an effort doomed to failure because of their lack of goal-scoring ability and the added fact of goalkeeper Brian Mullins being in top form.

Antrim, managed by senior selector Malachy Elliott following the recent decision of Dinny Cahill to quit as coach, made minimal progress in the opening quarter.

With Michael Cordial in good form in the half-forward line and strongly supported by the likes of Brendan Murphy and Brian Carroll, Offaly were boosted by two quick goals.

It was only in the second quarter that the Northerners began to have better luck with some of their scoring efforts.

They penetrated very little in attack, being over-reliant on John McIntosh and Brian McFall in the full-forward line. At the break it was 3-11 to 0-10.

Good combination play, one of the main features of the overall Offaly performance, led to Cordial scoring his second goal within four minutes of the resumption.

Shortly afterwards Mick O'Hara pointed when it seemed just as easy to put the ball under the bar.

With Rory Hanniffy to the forefront at centre-back, and the good work of Whelahan and team captain Barry Teehan complementing his efforts, the game had ceased to be a contest long before the final whistle.

Scorers: Offaly: M Cordial 2-5; B Carroll 1-6; B Murphy 1-2; J Brady 1-1; M O'Hara, R Hanniffy and D Murray 0-1 each. Antrim: B McFall and J McIntosh 0-6 each; M Scullion, J Connolly, B Hearn, C Hammill, C McGuckian and C Herron 0-1 each.

OFFALY: B Mullins; K Brady, G Oakley, D Franks; B Whelahan, R Hanniffy, B Teehan (capt.); D Hoctor, G Hanniffy; B Murphy, M O'Hara, M Cordial; B Carroll, J Brady, A Hanrahan.

Subs: D Murray for Hanrahan; B Whelahan for G Hanniffy; P Cleary for Oakley; P Healion for K Brady; C Parlon for R Hanniffy.

ANTRIM: G McGhee; M Kettle, G Bell, C Herron; G Cunningham, K McKeegan, J Campbell; M Scullion, J Connolly; M Hearn, C McGuckian P Richmond; J McIntosh, B McFall, A Delargy.

Subs: B Herron for McGuckian; C Hammill for Delargy; M McAmbrose for Cunningham; J Scullion for Richmond.

Referee: J Sexton (Limerick).